Junior Rotich Excited about Young Squad's Potential
9/17/2008 12:00:00 AM
Sept. 17, 2008
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Betty Rotich has taken a long trip to get to The University of Alabama from her hometown of Nakuru, Kenya. She is a junior college transfer from Colby Community College in Colby, Kan. but before that she ran at Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis, Mo. Rotich is a nine-time National Champion at the NAIA and NJCAA level and has already garnered awards at the Division 1 level such as two All-SEC honors and an All-Region performance.
Rotich didn't even begin running before graduating high school where she concentrated on playing soccer. It wasn't until she learned a member of her family had run in the United States and got a free education to do so did she start competitively training. Rotich and her family did not have enough money to pay for her future education so this seemed like a good opportunity to her.
"My uncle ran on scholarship in college and when he came back, he told me that if I ran then maybe I can get a scholarship to go to school," Rotich said. "I was just at home and couldn't afford to pay for college so I just started running."
Rotich is already becoming one of the most decorated track athletes in the history of Alabama. She is ranked in the All-Time Top Five in three events here: indoor 5000m (third), outdoor 5000m (fourth), and outdoor 10,000m (fourth).
Rotich's goals are simple this year. She just wants to improve and help the team accomplish bigger things than they have lately.
"I really want to get better from last year," Rotich said. "My cross country season wasn't very good last year. We have a really good team this year and a lot of good freshman so I think we will do some big things soon."
Rotich will continue her 2008 season when the squad hosts the 20th Annual Crimson Classic on Sept. 20 at the Harry Pritchett Cross Country Course. The women will race 5,000 meters and toe the line at 9:15 a.m.
